Plato (428 - 347) was one of the most important founding fathers of Western philosophy. He started out as a pupil of the great Socrates.Then he founded an academy and taught Aristotle who later became a very influential philosopher. Plato was a great writer and now his works are considered the some of the best in the world. He wrote many dialogues including The Republic, The Apology of Socrates, and Timaeus. These books showed his point of view in the world and how he felt.
Biography
Plato's early life is not credibly accounted for. Therefore, we do not know many details about his childhood and what led up to his great philosophic career. We do though have some information on his life. Plato was born into an upper class Athenian family. His original name was Aristocles, but later it was changed to Plato because of his broad shoulders and broad forehead.
Philosophy
Plato's philosophy dealt with the theory if forms. His philosophy consisted of two worlds: a world that is changing and an image and an unchanging unseen world. He also stated that the world we see is simply a world of images that are produced from another world. Plato was a rationalist because he thought we were born with some innate knowledge. Also, he was an idealist which meant he
Myth of the Cave
Plato's Myth of the Cave basically sums up his theory of forms. The myth starts out with prisoners facing a cave wall. They had been there since birth and have not seen any trace of the real world. There is an opening in the cave wall behind then where there is a fire. The fire serves a a light source to project the blurry, undefined shadows of whomever walks past it. Most people would realize that those were just shadows of real objects, but since the prisoners dont know any better they think that is the reality. If one day a prisoner got out and was able to see the
great beauty of the real world he would be extremely overwhelmed and excited by the clarity of everything. If he were then to go back to the other prisoners and tell them what he saw they would not believe him and tell him that those images on the cave wall were the real ones.
The Republic
Plato's best work, The Republic, dealt with all aspects of his philosophy. It dealt with the issues of living a good life, wisdom, and moderation. It also has the question of what a perfect society would consist of. Plato was always was always wondering how to live a life the right way and that conveyed through this major work.
Quotes
A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.
Plato
By Sydney Camfield
The School of Athens by Raphael (1509-1510)
Introduction
Plato (428 - 347) was one of the most important founding fathers of Western philosophy. He started out as a pupil of the great Socrates.Then he founded an academy and taught Aristotle who later became a very influential philosopher. Plato was a great writer and now his works are considered the some of the best in the world. He wrote many dialogues including The Republic, The Apology of Socrates, and Timaeus. These books showed his point of view in the world and how he felt.
Biography
Plato's early life is not credibly accounted for. Therefore, we do not know many details about his childhood and what led up to his great philosophic career. We do though have some information on his life. Plato was born into an upper class Athenian family. His original name was Aristocles, but later it was changed to Plato because of his broad shoulders and broad forehead.
Philosophy
Plato's philosophy dealt with the theory if forms. His philosophy consisted of two worlds: a world that is changing and an image and an unchanging unseen world. He also stated that the world we see is simply a world of images that are produced from another world. Plato was a rationalist because he thought we were born with some innate knowledge. Also, he was an idealist which meant he
Myth of the Cave
Plato's Myth of the Cave basically sums up his theory of forms. The myth starts out with prisoners facing a cave wall. They had been there since birth and have not seen any trace of the real world. There is an opening in the cave wall behind then where there is a fire. The fire serves a a light source to project the blurry, undefined shadows of whomever walks past it. Most people would realize that those were just shadows of real objects, but since the prisoners dont know any better they think that is the reality. If one day a prisoner got out and was able to see the
great beauty of the real world he would be extremely overwhelmed and excited by the clarity of everything. If he were then to go back to the other prisoners and tell them what he saw they would not believe him and tell him that those images on the cave wall were the real ones.
The Republic
Plato's best work, The Republic, dealt with all aspects of his philosophy. It dealt with the issues of living a good life, wisdom, and moderation. It also has the question of what a perfect society would consist of. Plato was always was always wondering how to live a life the right way and that conveyed through this major work.
Quotes
Bibliography